Good Morning dear Friends,
Today is the beginning of ROYAL ASCOT! This is a week long historic race meet that takes place in England each year at this time! It is filled with tradition and pageantry. The races are extremely contentious and the runners are of the finest quality. If a horse competes and wins at ROYAL ASCOT, it is a huge honor and considered to be quite an achievement!
Today is especially exciting for ME as MY MIKIE is competing there! He is riding a 2 year old named GENTLEMANS CODE in the ‘Windsor Castle’. It is a Listed Stakes Race going 5 furlongs on the turf. I truly want to wish him ALL THE BEST! Let’s go, MIKE!
Additionally, on today’s Royal Ascot Racing Program, Goldikova is running in the QUEEN ANNE STAKES—G 1. It is one mile on the turf. Later this afternoon their time, Frankel (who is currently undefeated) will be running in the ST. JAMES PALACE STAKES—G 1 for 3 year old colts. This race is also one mile on the turf.
There are many other exciting races taking place today…and all week at Royal Ascot! Dottie mentioned to ME that TVG and HRTV will both be carrying the events live each day. My best wishes to ALL of the entrants and their connections! How exciting!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, good morning to you. Hopefully we will get a new report on how you are doing soon. I love you..Lisa g
Perry
What is the Latest on the Public coming to Lane’s End and Seeing Zenyatta now that she is in foal until she has her foal?
Barbara Wood
Good morning, Miss Z–By now you are probably munching on that lovely grass. I have 2 questions, and if Dottie doesn’t have time to answer, maybe someone else can fill me in.
1) When is Z’s next vet checkup due? I know the 60-day one was important.
2) Exactly what does a racing manager (Dottie) do? Is it more paperwork, or is it something else? I am clueless and would like to know.Does she handle just John’s horses, or does she work for others as well? I’m sure it’s exciting.
LauraJ
@Perry, there has been no announcement of any plans for public visits. If (and that’s a BIG if) it happens, you’ll probably hear about it here first.
Sharon Call
@Jaimie. Thanks for the link. I just voted for Zenyatta.
Ida Lee
The Queen of European Racing, the incredible Goldikova lost but what a super mare she is. She of course was great even in losing (just like you my Beautiful Zenyatta). I do hope we get to see Goldi in the Breeders Cup this year. I can’t believe that at one time I did not like Goldi because (1) she’s French; and (2) she beat Kip Deville, one of my great loves. What was I thinking??
Susan in TN
Good morning! Yes, this is definitely better :)
@Trina N: Thank you! And I wanted to mention that Rosie Ruiz was the first thing I thought of after reading Terry Crow’s fog story!
@Marshall (girl’s name):Thank you so much!
@Judy B: Thank you for your concern!
@Kim S: Thank you for thinking of Lou and my daughter. yes, 6-7 weeks is a long time considering the exam is graded by a “scan tron” or whatever they’re called!
@Judy B(again!): I laughed out loud at the explanation of the “rare blood”-I know I’m going to enjoy that movie even with my lack of “track smarts”!
@Sarah Powell: Thank you for caring about Lou and Beth! It isn’t as hot or humid here, either. Feels WONDERFUL!
@Laura J: Glad Step is better and good luck Friday! He really has some speed, doesn’t he? Thanks for info on Let It Ride
@Kathy Kimber: Thank you for asking about Lou!
@Barbara Wood: Thank you for thinking of Lou!
@Sharon Call: “gone around the corner”-lol. I knew what you meant. I think I”M the one who has gone around the corner! Thanks for your concern. I think you’re right-the worst is behind us.
@Brenda: Thank you for asking about Lou! Wow-your family does have a long history of horse-lovers! I think I was born loving horses. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago but ever since I can remember, I’ve been crazy about anything “horsey.” About 10 years ago, my mother was showing me things she had packed away. There were two beautiful “buggy blankets” that had belonged to my great-great grandfather. She said he raised and showed Belgians on his farm in Toulon, Illinois(in the 1800’s) and that they were his pride and joy. She said she wondered if I got my love of horses from him! She passed away in 2003 and I have the blankets now-a prized possession.
@Kathy P: Thanks for setting me straight on the “Zenyattasphere”!!
@Terry Crow: Thank you so much for thinking of Lou and giving your dog an extra hug-I know it is heartfelt. I loved the story about the race in the fog-and they almost got away with it! How kind of you to offer to lend me your copy of Let It Ride! I have a couple of other places to check-I may just buy it. If you and Judy B think it’s funny, I know I will!
Did you see my comment to you about writing a book about your tour of racetracks? If not that, just your stories make for fascinating reading. And so many others on this site have personal memories and stories of great horses and tracks and people. I love hearing about those things and so do others!
RE:Promethia:What a sad story. I’m so glad she got saved. It reminds me of “Black Beauty” in that you never know what roads a horse has travelled to reach a certain point.
@Charlotte Farmer:Thank you for asking about Lou! You are really making progress with Noor’s quest. Seems like a good idea to have funds go thru Old Friend’s. But I am concerned about you and one other person driving so many hours in a short time. Even taking turns and trying to rest, I’m worried about the fatigue factor. See what the final costs are, but I think you should add in an extra day of rest before driving back. I can’t imagine ANYONE begrudging you that! This is such a selfless endeavor and has taken great perseverance on your part. Just think about it!
@Shari V: I tried to email you but it didn’t go thru for some reason. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and your test today and hope all goes well <3
Michael Blowen
We are very excited that Charlotte and Kit have chosen Old Friends as the final resting place for that great Hall-of-Famer, Noor…We are working with The National Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs on a program to insure that all these late, great athletes have an appropriate place where their fans can pay their respects. We’re very grateful to everyone for allowing us to be that place. If everything works out, Noor should be re-located to Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky in August. If anyone would like to contribute to his journey from Grass Valley, CA to Georgetown, Ky you can send a tax deductible contribution to Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324. Make sure to write Noor on the check or e-mail so the donation will go to the appropriate place. Thanks so much..Michael. P.S. Little Silver Charm sends his best to the greatest horse of our generation.
LauraJ
@Michael Blowen, thanks for the information. Did I read that Kelso is also to be relocated to OF? Can you give us the scoop on that? Many kisses and carrots to LSC, mints for ‘Tator and Ring, gingersnaps for Creator, and carrots, scratches, and love for everybody else.
Terry Crow
@Trina Nagele and Kathy Kimber–I have contacted Karen Gogue and I am now checked out on what to do.–@Trina Nagele and Susan in TN–The most famous incident involving Rosie Ruiz was in the 1980 Boston Marathon but what most people forget is that she did the same thing in the 1979 New York City Marathon, running 10 miles and then riding the subway literally to the finish line. The reason that incident is not as notorious is because she still only finished 24th. @Susan in TN-If all else fails I would be .happy to send you my copy of Let It Ride. The problem now is there has been such a build up that the film cannot possibly be that good. As far as any book goes, I am somewhat like a person who can sound like Caruso in the shower but like Mrs. Miller in front of people. Mrs. Miller was a character that used to appear on late night television. She was the only one who knew that she was really bad. But, she seemed to have a good time not being in on the joke so you never know. @Judy Berube–Even when you know, you never know.
Terry Crow
Re Mrs. Miller-I should have said that she was the only one who DIDN’T know she was really bad.
Little Silver Charm at Old Friends
My dear Miss Zenyatta,
I wanted you to see this video of me displaying my soccer ball kicking skill. I hope to meet you one day.
LSC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi1MxJ3-ZkI
Jeanie
How did Noor end up in Grass Valley?
DJ
Good morning Sweet “Z”,
I will check back for another hello message later!
……………………………………
To Jaime – Thank you so much for the link to vote for Zenyatta’s Painted Pony! It is so beautiful..especially with her lovely owners Mr. and Mrs. Moss included! I pray it wins! Please vote “Z” FAMILY!
beaner
Z…it was so sad to see Animal Kingdom stumble early in the Belmont and so disheartening to hear how his trainer knew he was out of the race. Queen Z was never out of any race no matter how far back you were. Anyway, I’m happy you are enjoying farm life and are in a “family sort of way”. Kisses!
Karen Gogue
Thank you Michael Blowen – donation coming soon for yours and noor!
Karen Gogue
Oh, sorry Noor! Should have been a capitol N!
J Smith
Little Silver Charm, you may just be the worlds cutest boy, and you certainly cannot be beat in the mane & tail department. Thank you M.B. for all you do.
Jeanie,indeed, how ever did Noor end up in Grass Valley? Is the the Grass Valley in the San Bernadino Mountains? If so, it is lovely there, perhaps owners had property.
DJ
——ZENYATTA NEEDS YOUR VOTE!!——
http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/artists/competitions/competition-artists-choice/
to be a “Painted Pony” beautifully expressed with love by Toni P. Haigh!
DJ
please pass this link on to your friends…they are all very beautiful and the competition will be close! Let’s not let our “Z” lose this race :)
Cynthia H.
@Charlotte Farmer: It was interesting to note that, during her recent historic visit to Ireland, the queen beat a hasty path to Coolmore!
suew
Thanks for the link…I just voted.
DJ
Please take a moment to view the video regarding the history of this nonprofit organization. The lifesize Painted Ponies are breath-taking and they have given over a million $ to charity. Zenyatta would be honored!
The Kennedys in San Diego
@DJ — our votes are in.
Max
@DJ. Done. It is a pleasure to vote for Zenyatta.
Jean M.
Beautiful Zenyatta, @dj, thanks for the link, just voted. Zenny, I can imagine you at Ascot looking more regal that the regals. And then when it is announced, “the Queen is arriving”, well, I know the crowd would look toward the paddock area. After all, you rule the world. Love you.
Veronica
Z, it’s an honor to vote for you! You’re so beautiful and majestic. Someday, Z, I will meet and hug you! Big, big hug~ :)
Rosemary McCauley
The Zenyatta Painted Pony is beautiful. It was a pleasure to vote for anything to do with Queen Zenyatta.
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
@ ALL
I voted for Zenny’s pony! I also sent an email to everyone I know sharing the link… I already got replies that they voted for Our Queen :-D Our Rock Star ~ Zenyatta!XO
judy berube
Dear Z,
Thinking of you. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
Dear DJ:
Just voted for Zenyatta (voted for the painted pony with the Moss’ and Dottie).
To Terry Crow:
Hope we didn’t build up the movie so much that it won’t seem as funny. Even when you know, you never know. Hugs, J.B.
Dear Michael Blowen:
We are so glad that Noor is coming to Old Friends. The name of your rescue says it all. It’s good to know that you are working toward making it possible for other horses in the same situation to have a final resting place. We will be contributing soon. We see that Little Siver Charm still has a crush on Zenyatta. Thank you for all you do. Judy and Russ